DC Collectibles Crime Syndicate Superwoman Review

So, yeah, I bought a 2nd DC Collectibles figure. What can I say? Talon broke my NoNew52 Rule. Once the brough breaks…

Superwoman is one of those characters that I’ve always liked. It’s true, she’s not made a ton of appearances, or been particularly notable on her own, so I’m not totally sure why. I do love almost all of the Crime Syndicate and the simple, but compelling concept behind them: an evil Justice League from a parallel universe. Everybody should love that.

Out of the gang, Superwoman has probably had the most alternate origins from version to version. She’s almost always an Amazon, but has changed from being a mad, aging Amazon in Pre-Crisis, to being an Amazon who takes on the identity of Lois Lane in Morrison’s version. Now, I’m not entirely clear on the newest version, but she may actually be the alternate universe’s Lois Lane turned supervillain. Also, I’d like to note one other supremely cool version, that sadly didn’t get a figure, was from Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths. That version of Superwoman was actually Mary Marvel (or Mary Mayhem, rather) and she had Billy & Freddy as her thugs.

While I’ve sold off or given away plenty of my DCD’s over the years, Superwoman figures tended to stick around, even over the other Syndicate members. I’m not really sure why, it could be something as simple as the color scheme, just a clean black & yellow. (I also unabashedly love Hourman among the JSA for no real reason). Either way, that same compulsion to keep her while selling off Owlman & Power Ring, reared it’s head when I was at my LCS looking at the New52 Crime Syndicate.

DCC figures appear to be getting better and better. For the most part, I’m immune because I already have my ten favorite Riddler or Two-Face looks and don’t have space for Arkham versions. Similarly, the New 52 stuff is supposed to be for the new kids that found my era confusing. So, really, I’m good. Or so I think until there’s this Superwoman staring at me. To be honest, Ultraman was staring at me too, but sloppy paint is a wicked master. My LCS is near where I work and after repeated trips and a lengthy time in-between purchases, I caved snagged Superwoman. You know how it goes.

What I found was surprisingly well done. The window packaging had already let me know the visuals were good, of course. But having her in hand? She was pretty impressive. DC Direct, DC Collectibles has always been known for great sculpts. Superwoman here is no exception. Granted, her costume didn’t need much detail; really she just needed the design on her hips as well as raised gloves and boots. DC Collectibles did all that, which is notable in a time when other companies would’ve settled for those being painted details. Her logo and cape (isn’t it a shawl, really?) are a separate, softer piece. Mine was warped slightly by the package, but I was able to get it mostly back to normal. It’s well-scupted despite the material and being a raised piece, it adds a nice extra layer of depth to the figure.

Atop all that is a great head sculpt with just one minor problem. The technical work is great. It’s almost verges on a realistic depiction more than it being based on a comic book chacter. The materials used and separately molded hair make this figure look like she should hang out with my NECA figures instead of past DCD/DCC offerings. But that one problem? I don’t really mind per se, but the figure has such a benevolent expression! She almost seems nice, downright helpful. It’s very well done and I don’t mind one bit, but it is funny. If you’re looking for a fantastic Lois Lane head sculpt for a custom, look no further. Continue to Page 2…

I had that concern, but it’s not so bad in person or once posed properly – it has a nice range of neck motion overall. To your point, more than a few are buying this figure and replacing its head with the first DCC New52 Batman’s head. I like the sculpt of Capullo Bats, but its articulation is where it stands out, other than the ankle joints.

Looks good and the tendency to keep SuperWoman in a K.I.S.S. look continues.

I only know her from write-ups on Forever Evil, so the Earth2 version is pretty much “My SuperWoman” having the most publishing history from DC. The original only had a couple appearances before dying in Crisis, most notably in one of the JLA/JSA team-ups.

Meanwhile the second version got trotted out a few more times than that, with arcs in Super-titles and the Robinson “Justice Titans” as I like to call the last JLA run before the nu52 struck.

I might have to track this one down, as I like several of these nu52 CSA designs.
(puts bug in Kenny’s ear! btw, I have a friend who opened a new store in Washington, “Gamers Empire”, if you ever get up here. shopping center between DQ and KFC, next to Sears. Diamond is dragging their feet on stocking his comics/collectibles, so it’s mostly gaming right now.)

Fair enough. I don’t care about these characters at all; I treat them as a mishmash of the Morrison/Quitely team, Crisis on Two Earths (the movie) and whatever else bounces through my head. Finch did a surprisingly good job on the designs and Gentle Giant one-upped him.

I’m just hoping they make more figures like these, ones I can pretend have nothing to do with the reboot.

I’m curious about the scale of these new DCC figures. In that last picture it almost looks like DCC Superwoman is a bit taller than DCUC Superman and Batman. Do the DCC figures fit in pretty well with DCUC? There are a couple I’d like to get (Capullo Batman being one) but only if they won’t look out of place next to my DCUC and Marvel Legends figures.

You’re probably out of luck – DCC figures are usually sculpted about an inch out of scale for DCUC. Some figures can work (Talon looks great with my DCUC Nu52 Batman), but most of the time, they’re just out of scale with one another.

The last picture is great! Good stuff as always.
I love the Syndicate, too. It’ll never happen, but i would like to see DCC make the versions of Power Ring and J. Quick from Morrison’s “Earth 2” graphic novel. Just to complete things.
Quick question: You said the head is ball-joint. Can it be pulled off and swapped with DCUC bucks? I ask because Matty has that horrendous-looking Superboy coming out soon, but DCC put out a pretty decent NU52 S.B. a couple months ago. Wondering if pulling a little switcheroo is an option.

YES! on the Quitely Earth2 CSA Power Ring “Blond Kyle” and Johnny2 designs! heck, they even had a John Stewart for a couple issues that got a JLU redeco!

as for the head swappage, try your choice of boiling water or hair dryer to heat the heads up and CAREFULLY remove them from the neck/torsos. there are a few tutorials on the YouTube. I know from experience some of those neck posts can be brittle and if the ball breaks off inside the head? FUBAR. I know I had one head happen to me I was planning on transplanting onto DCD Comedian body. Luckily, I had picked up a couple of the head figures on clearance so I got second chance.

as much as i was hyped for getting these, i confess to some duress on their actual arrival. i got three, superwoman, ultraman and owlman, and the QC across them was inconsistent to put it mildly.

ultraman is the best of the three, every joint tight but not worrisome, great paint (sorry, it was BBTS, it’s not like i knew), and just in general, everything i hoped he would be. my superwoman came out of the box in fine shape joint wise, except her hair wasn’t glued to her head. it popped right off her skull the first time i moved her neck. not exactly a huge deal, but it was there… and i have a terrible time keeping her standing thanks to those heels. i really, REALLY wish she had the foot in shoe insert post like the boys do. other that that, i love how soft her cape is too, and that it’s not attached, so you can articulate her without restriction, or flat out remove the cape if you chose to. owlman is a train wreck… both of this thigh swivels were rotated outward in the box, and paint SEALED in place. his knees are also upside down (later noticed that ultraman’s are too, but they’re less noticeable on him) and likewise paint sealed. i tried the freezer trick and it enabled the knees, with a LOT of pressure applied, but the thigh swivels wouldn’t bulge and the right leg actually came off the hip peg rather than move. thankfully, the hip ball stayed intact, the hip socket material is thankfully rather soft. i had to boil and pop the legs off and physically disassemble the legs to free up those damned thighs. i can only think of one or two other figures i’ve had to deconstruct to free up articulation, and it pisses me off.